Context: In a month, I'll be going on a 10-day work trip to Northern Spain. We'll be traveling to and staying in four different cities, so I don't want to be weighed down with wheeled luggage. I will use the Western Flyer as a backpack and then carry the Small Zippered Shop Bag on a shoulder. I recently sold my Deva 60L backpack, which I loved, but in reality only used for a couple of trips. It was just so big and awkward to wear, and the waist belt was so huge, I felt ridiculous carrying it on the plane (though the airlines did let me use it as my carry-on bag to Iceland/Sweden). The Western Flyer is a serious volume decrease at 26L. I was so excited to see if I could meet the challenge, I test packed my bags this afternoon. I've been thinking about the packing list for a month, and am confident with my choices in terms of clothes. With only 12 main clothing items, I have plenty of options to wear a different combination every day of the trip. I had a few surprises. Namely, with the two main compartments filled, I couldn't use the front pockets exactly how I had planned. I was going to use a Side Effect to hold my electronics and put it in the bottom one, but there was no way it was going to fit in there with the main compartment full. So, I changed that for a Double Organizer Pouch in Viridian that I'll use to hold my license, extra cash and cards in the front clear pocket, and receipts in the larger back pouch pocket. In the photo above on the left, you can see what I have in the top front pocket: my mesh laundry with clothesline, Heroclips & money belt; a thin Moleskine notebook; and a mini organizer pouch in steel with the Tom Bihn travel pillow inside (see photo on right). The straw I store in the water bottle pocket. This was a disappointment. While my Kinto 17 oz water bottle easily zipped up in this pocket, along with plastic cutlery, when the rest of the bag was empty, when the main compartments were full, there was no way my bottle could fit in and close. I saw a video Tom Bihn posted that the water bottle wouldn't fall out even if shook upside down, but I would still be nervous about losing it. So, for now I just have the reusable straw in there. I may decide to add a cloth napkin or bandana in there, we'll see. This is why there's little room left in those front pockets. I have the smaller main compartments full. In the left compartment, I'm using my Small Cafe Bag as a packing cube for my clogs. Stuffed in each of those, I have a pair of wool socks, which helps keep their shape. I will be wearing another pair of wool socks with black ankle boots while traveling. I usually just travel with two pairs of wool socks because they don't need to be washed every time you wear them. They are naturally antibacterial and odor resistant. Next to the SCB, I have my Rick Steves travel umbrella. It's very light but sturdy and hasn't failed me yet. In the right compartment, I have a small Lotta Jansdotter packing cube I got from Target with a pair of oxfords. I love these shoes for travel- they feel like slippers, but are water resistant and very light and can pack down. I should note I am a size 7 shoe in womens, so someone with larger feet might not be able to fit their shoes in length-wise like I do with these. On top of the oxfords packing cube, I have my Clear Quarter Packing Cube in Northwest Sky. Right now, it has all my gym toiletries rather than carefully chosen/packed travel ones, but they will be similar in size and quantity. The back pocket has all my clothes. I plan on wearing the cream pullover sweater while traveling, but I wanted to see if it would fit if it's too warm to wear it on the days I travel from one hotel to the next in Spain. It does fit, but definitely strained the seams with the zippers closed. Doesn't it look better? Without the sweater, I can line up the packing cubes and #2 stuff sack in a row, whereas with the sweater, I had to stack the sack under the small packing cube. I am using the Eagle Creek Specter Tech Compression Medium Packing Cube. According to their website, it goes from 12L to 6L. As a point of comparison, the Tom Bihn Western Flyer large packing cube is 10.5L. This one holds a pair of navy cotton pants, a pair of black cotton leggings, a black linen dress, a grey cashmere cardigan, and a cotton reversible double gauze duster. I'll be wearing a pair of wide-legged pants and the cream sweater. In the small packing cube, I have a long-sleeved cotton shirt, two cotton tee shirts, and a black cotton tank top. I will be actually wearing one of the tee shirts while traveling, and there will be a white tank top in the packing cube (it's currently in the wash). I like to wear the same clothes while traveling that I do at home, and I prefer natural fabrics, so they aren't as thin and quick-drying as tech fabrics, but I still plan to do laundry in the hotel sinks. In the #2 Wasabi Stuff Sack I have the belt to the duster (gives me the option to wear it open or like a wrap dress), a pair of black tights, two pairs of Ex-officio travel undies (dry in 2-4 hours), and an extra bra. I will be wearing one bra and a pair of undies and will have another pair in my shop bag for a total of 4 pairs of underwear, with the plan of washing a pair everyday in the sink/ shower. In the Small Black Zippered Shop Bag goes the rest. I have an Ipad; noise-canceling, wireless headphones; a travel cubelet with chargers and plugs; a double organizer pouch in Aubergine for my passport, money, and cards; plastic utensils; and a large travel tray with glasses and lip balm and hand lotion, etc; a small ghost whale pouch with sunglasses; and a knitted scarf in a dust bag. I have ordered an anorak from L.L.Bean that folds up in its own pocket that will serve as outwear that I'll keep in here, too. What I learned: I am still on the fence about the water bottle and utensils. Those might stay home. I want to get another #2 stuff sack in Dawn, that will match my Eagle Creek packing cubes, and then use the Wasabi one for snacks in the SZSB. I also want to get a pen/pencil organizer pouch. I was considering bringing another black dress, but I should have plenty of different outfits with what I already have. I didn't weight the bags, but they feel good and I won't have any trouble carrying them around the airport or from one hotel to the next.
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AuthorI'm a big fan of Tom Bihn bags, and I love to see how others use theirs, especially when I'm considering which bag to get next. I've created this site to share how I use mine in hopes that it will be helpful to others wondering which bag(s) will serve their needs best. Please comment and let me know how you use your Tom Bihn bags! ArchivesCategories
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